This documentary follows the extraordinary journey of acclaimed sculptor Keith Barrett as he creates a permanent bronze memorial honouring one of North Tyneside's most remarkable, yet overlooked, historical figures. Escaping slavery in Virginia, USA, and finding freedom in North Shields, UK, Mary Ann Macham's story is one of resilience, courage and hope.
Through sculpture, history and community, this film uncovers the life of a woman whose remarkable journey deserves to be remembered.
Filmed over three years, we witness every stage of the creative process, from rough timber to chainsaw carving and bronze casting to the finished memorial, while exploring the historical research that shaped the sculpture and the powerful symbolism behind it.
More than the story of a sculpture, this is an intimate portrait of an artist at work and a moving reflection on identity, freedom, remembrance and legacy. Produced by Local Heroes, celebrating people, place and purpose through powerful storytelling.
From Barga to South Shields | 100 Years of Colmans
Fish and Chips | Out and About Fish and chips is often held up as the most British of meals.
Yet behind so many of the country's best-loved chip shops are stories of migration, of families who left home, carried their food culture with them, and helped shape the places they settled.
In this episode of Out and About, we celebrate 100 years of fish and chips with the Colman family. What began as a beach hut on the South Shields seafront in 1905 has grown into a multi-generational family seafood business, known for quality, sustainability and deep roots in its community.
To understand where that story really begins, we travel to Barga, a small hill town in Northern Tuscany whose people left in numbers for a new life in Britain.
At Barga's annual fish and chip festival, we uncover the Colman family's connection to the town, and the thread that links a Tuscan hillside to one of the North East's most legendary fish and chip shops.
It's a film about how food moves with people, how traditions are adapted and passed down, and how communities are built by those who arrive as much as those who were already there.
A new extended version of Stories From Shields. Due to the success of the original project South Tyneside Council wanted to add more from the community.
“South Shields is not just a place to visit - it is a place people feel, remember, and return to.”
The Stories From Shields, a Neighbourhood Pilot has successfully captured and articulated a distinctive sense of place rooted in food, coastline, and community identity. Through storytelling, creative production, and placemaking, the project has developed a compelling narrative grounded in real voices and lived experience.
At its core, the pilot demonstrates that South Shields’ greatest strength lies not only in its assets, but in its stories - stories that connect people to place through memory, culture, and emotion.
Set amongst the wild landscapes of Northumberland, this film tells the story of Northumberland Honey Co. and its dedication to producing exceptional local honey while protecting one of Britain’s rare native bee populations.
From wildflower meadows to the region’s distinctive Northumberland black bees, discover how the landscape shapes every jar of honey and why biodiversity, conservation and traditional beekeeping are at the heart of everything they do.
More than honey, it’s a celebration of nature, place and the people working to preserve it for generations to come
Nestled in the Northumberland countryside, Heatherslaw Cornmill is England’s most northerly working watermill and one of the last remaining traditional flour mills in the country.
In this film, we discover how centuries-old milling techniques are still used to produce stoneground flour while preserving the rich heritage of this remarkable working mill and museum.
Through the passion of the people who care for it, Heatherslaw Cornmill continues to connect visitors with Northumberland’s agricultural history, craftsmanship and rural tradition.
Set in the wild landscapes of Northumberland, this film explores the story of Hepple Spirits and co-founder Walter Riddell, whose deep connection to the Hepple Estate helped shape one of Britain’s most distinctive gins. From ancient juniper bushes and Douglas fir forests to pioneering distillation techniques, Hepple captures the freshness and character of the Northumberland countryside in every bottle. More than a gin, it’s a celebration of place, nature and the people working to protect this remarkable landscape.
“South Shields is not just a place to visit - it is a place people feel, remember, and return to.”
The Stories From Shields, Neighbourhood Pilot has successfully captured and articulated a distinctive sense of place rooted in food, coastline, and community identity. Through storytelling, creative production, and placemaking, the project has developed a compelling narrative grounded in real voices and lived experience.
At its core, the pilot demonstrates that South Shields’ greatest strength lies not only in its assets, but in its stories - stories that connect people to place through memory, culture, and emotion. The programme has created a strong foundation of content, identity, and engagement.
Bushcraft and Bait with John Kirtley. In this episode of Out and About, Chris heads into the woods of Newburn with falconer and bushcraft expert John Kirtley.
This woodland is John’s childhood stomping ground, and now, as an adult, it’s where he teaches essential life skills, runs mental health workshops, and flies his birds of prey through his business, Riverside Falconry.
Join them as John shares his bushcraft knowledge, cooks up a wild feast, and dives into a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about nature, resilience, and community.
Lily is only 17 who lives and breathes Falconry. She has started training her new Kestrel Sid.
It's the beginning of a lifelong journey and a bond created through nothing but love and trust. Falconry has given Lily a purpose in life and the film captures her personal growth as she develops her skills to care for Sid.
Available to buy or rent Amazon | Apple TV | YouTube
Donna Moore, 3x World Strongest Woman, 2x Arnold Champion, UK Strongest Woman, full time NHS worker and mum. Starting 10 years ago from advice to improve her fitness, she's now idolized by peers in the industry and has put the sport of strongwoman on the map. Follow Donna's journey, struggles, trolls, relationships and characters that have helped to make one of the best female strength athletes.
